The Texan Gets His Spurs: Dempsey at Tottenham [R]

20 minute interview with Clint. Some good stuff in there I think
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/video/espnfc/video?id=1166896&cc=5901

 

I thought he did mostly well in the Lazio game. The goal he scored was a really nice header and he held the ball up well, but he has the same problem he's always had for me -- he doesn't press the attack like a player in his position behind the striker should. Unlike the player he was brought in to replace.

But he's in a good position, I think he'll fit Spurs well. I think if they get Moutinho and play Dembele behind Ade they are a much better team (I don't know that this is even a possibility in January, but I see their willingness to break transfer records to be indicitive of massive interest)... but I think I was wrong, Dempsey could get a lot of minutes this season. I had 4-3-3 stuck in my head, Dempsey will play in a 4-5-1. Obviously.

They outclassed Lazio for the most part. I still wouldn't want Dempsey dropping as deep as he did on numerous occassions, that's what Dembele is there for... but I seem to always have this problem with Dempsey and indeed many US attackers.

 

I thought Clint looked pretty good. Obviously he is still getting used to the players and style. It might take longer then people will like for him to look 100% again because of the roster mix ups and chemistry.

It seems there is a battle going on between the wingers who want to just fly down the wings and cross (right side) and the new style of possession. Should be interesting to see how it works out with AVB moving towards the possession style of play.

I also did not like how deep Dembele was most of the game. He is so strong on the ball and the times he moved forward in the 2nd half he was very dangerous. I am assuming when Parker comes back he will have a more advanced roll but that is becoming a crowded midfield.

 

Some players get the benefit of the doubt regardless of how they play. Many players come to mind who are lauded though they produce next to nothing. The way Clint was crucified in the press based on some ill worded comments from Jol tells you all you need to know about where Clint stands with the media in England.

The Spurs are a big club, if he is not producing a goal or an assist every match, then he will be hounded as a failure and if he doest get a goal you can bet all the attention will be on the person who assisted and if he gets the assist all the attention will be given to the goal scorer/coach/fans/row F.
etc.

You might as well get used to it.

 

We really don't need to be offended on Clint's behalf. I'm sure he doesn't give a **** what the media say about him.

 

Watching Liverpool now, he certainly would have made a difference, but what a train wreck. Tottenham lost two key players, but had the good sense to bring in siggi, clint, ade and keep defoe, allowing them a certain amount of flexibility at striker and style of play. Liverpool play like a declawed cat in heat.

 

I can't believe the amount of money they spent on Borini. The list of people they could have gotten for that kind of money is long. His touch is attrocious. Not as attrocious as my spelling, but close.

 

Rodgers worked with him before, he had a good season at Roma last year. He's still young, and has future sell-on value

 

I know all these things. That doesn't help his touch or the fact that he got the hook for a youth teamer today. He's a nice player. He's not 15M or whatever it was they spent is my point.

 

I'm no liverpool fan, but man they're getting jobbed out there today.

not the place, I know.

 

Thanks Liverpool. You did us all a favor in Clint's situation

 

Dempsey was crap in the first half along with the rest of the bunch, but was very dangerous in the second once he was moved up to striker just underneath Defoe.

 

It looks like he's above Sigurdson in the pecking order, at this moment.

Damn, he looks slow out there. A couple of steps slow. That doesn't happen at 29. He didn't have a pre-season and is still working on fitness.

 

He's been with the team 2 weeks. He'll get sharper and look quicker. But Dempsey is never going to be Bale, Defoe, Lennon quick. But then again, he also won't do the blind alley, 'won't pass ball' stuff as well.

I think today was a net/net good-sized win for Dempsey. The team won with him on the pitch. AVB showed confidence in him by pulling Sigi and not Dempsey. Clint showed some of his qualities in 2nd half and why he should be played centrally and higher up pitch. With Ade out and Sigi's performance today, Clint is in great shape to start next week. Even when Ade comes back, Tottenham seem to need someone behind Ade in the hole, and that would be for Dempsey or Sigi to fill.

On the road, Defoe and Lennon together make more sense to me than at home. As a counter attack side, those 2 should start.

Dempsey will round into form. Not odds to bet otherwise.

The more I watch Spurs, I wonder/worry about the selfishness up front. It is costing them goals.
It explains why they look better on the counter, than when the opposition defense set. To date in the Prem, they just aren't demonstrating the patience to pass/move against team that are set in their defense. A lot of isolation play. Defoe/Lennon/Bale all love to dribble 1v2 and then try to shoot. Got to be maddening if you are the trailing teammate on offense.

Oh, and the crossing is atrocious from Defoe + Lennon. Do they even try to send the ball to a teammate? It seems like they just sling it over, with no real purpose. I have to give props to Damien Duff, Murphy and other Fulham attackers who were much more precise and trying to
get it to attacker in the right position.

 

For the record:

Tottenham had 9 points after their first 5 games LAST season.
Tottenham has 8 points after their first 5 games THIS season.

Interestingly, Dembele will be going to play his 2nd away match at Old Trafford this season,
just 6 games into the new season.

 

While I agree our start hasn't been as bad as advertised we played better teams last season in the first 5.

 

Agreed. A potentially good investment for a feeder club like Liverpool so they can eventually sell him for a profit to a "BIG club" with ambition.

 

Then they have more time to gel as a team before they hit a harder part of their schedule. It was blatantly obvious today that multiple guys just aren't aware of each others movements and styles yet. That game could have ended 3 or 4-1, had guys like bale dempsey and defoe chosen to make the simple pass for tap-ins. I think defoe missed dempsey wide open in the box twice, bale once and dempsey chose to shoot from outside the box several times when he had guys making slashing runs into the box.

 

Anyone who watched the game give a small run down on Clint this last game besides first half baaaaad, second half goooood.

 

Not true. Dempsey shot twice- once it was the right decision, and the other time likely playing Defoe in was better decision. Compare this with (at least) 6-7 times Lennon and Defoe would dribble into the corner (vs. looking for any sort of combination play) and either get a couple corners, send over a cross to no one in particular, or lose the ball. Add to that Bale who went at goal a good 4-5 times- and shot or lost the ball every single time.

I think there is plenty of offense there for Spurs...if they simply play like a team vs. a bunch of individuals.

 

The effort was certainly there, but Dempsey looked frustrated today (against QPR). Better in the second half, but too many of his shots on goal were obvious, easily played, and the fitness just isn't there yet. However, AVB did play him (and the rest of Spurs) in unfamiliar positions, and Spurs still haven't figured out who, if anyone, will be an effective midfield playmaker for their attackers. Dempsey's best individual play was a good crossing header to Defoe in front of Rangers' goal.

Play of the match: Vertonghen's marvelous saving tackle on Hoilett to preserve the lead.

 

Naw dude he shot several times, got blocked like twice or went wide. He had that one good hit from outside that in the air tricked Cesar a bit. I agree with you on defoe, lennon and Bale (however Bale will always get a pass cause he's BALE).

 

The T0ttenham boards are ripping Sigi but good. I think everyone to a man would be surprised to see him start over Dempsey next week.

I think its harsh, but quite a few posters claiming Sigi not that good, over his head, etc.

I expect Sigi will start midweek against Carlisle (along with Huddlestone, Dawson, Townsend, Kane, Livermore, etc) and that will be our signal that Dempsey is starting against Man U.

Big game for Dempsey against Man U. If he plays well and Tottenham point- he likely gets extended run in the role.

If Dempsey starts against Carlisle mid-week, I won't expect him to start against Man U.

 

I'm getting a little sick already of Lennon and especially Defoe dribbling, dribbling, dribbling with their heads down and not picking out the runners or making the correct pass. Yes they have speed and the ability to take on defenders, but they're missing their passing windows and dribbling right through them until either the window has closed or they dribble into trouble.

AVB really needs to get these guys in the film room and seeing where their opportunities to hit runners in the box are. It's like this team has a differently personality as soon as they're in the final third. They're more than willing to pass before then, but once there it's like they all put their heads down and take on the defense themselves. And does Lennon just not understand the good positions he's getting himself into? Due to his speed he gets in great positions but then doesn't seem to realize it once there and the opportunity is blown. His overdribbling negates his speed, and Defoe just seems selfish to me.

 

I don't think you're going to see Defoe changing and becoming one to give the ball up. Actually, I think he's the one that drives it all. Everyone else is afraid if they pass up a shot, they may not get another one. Selfish play is very contagious. However, it's usually fixed by rooting out the cause(s). Bale and Dempsey are usually quick to bring teammates into play, and I think it will get better when you see Ade come back. I just hope it isn't CD that has to make way.